Birmingham Area Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Plan

摘要

This study of transportation needs of the elderly and handicapped in the Birmingham, Ala., area was instituted at the request of local public officials to aid in assessing the current system, and to collect information on the travel characteristics of the elderly and handicapped. Its findings were meant to help evaluate a range of service improvements, select a limited number that could help alleviate transportation problems, and prepare an action plan for improving travel opportunities for these groups. An examination of socioeconomic characteristics of those elderly and handicapped persons using specialized services and those questioned as part of survey efforts indicated that the lack of auto ownership among these groups exceeds 70 percent. Unemployment is at about 90 percent, and the average annual family income is less than $5,000. Existing transportation services include fixed - route, fixed - schedule conventional bus services and door - to - door services provided by social service agencies and other groups. Efforts underway to improve transportation services include the purchase of 30 advanced design buses and the operation of special service buses. Evaluation of three alternative approaches for improving or expanding existing transportation services indicates that the percentage of elderly and handicapped persons served under fixed - route, fixed - schedule services would decrease; their numbers would be stabilized under demand responsible services (those services having specially equipped buses); and their numbers would increase significantly with door - to - door services. The service system recommended for implementation in the Birmingham area calls for additional fixed - route, fixed - schedule services for the elderly and handicapped and continued demand responsive, door - to - door services for these groups. Guidelines for service improvements, management and operational considerations, and the phasing of a 3 - year action plan for transportation services are discussed. A list of persons advising study participants and an outline of transportation service goals and objectives are appended. Tables and footnotes are included.